At the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas this week Andersen Corp. of Minnesotta is unveiling its first foray into multimedia windows. This new range of windows have added features, such being able to play music like a stereo or act like a computer monitor or as a large screen television.

The windows are able to serve as both a window and a multimedia canvas by using an electric switch. A small current is fed through the glass which keeps it clear, allowing it to act as a standard window. When this current is stopped, however, the glass becomes opaque, ready to serve as a projection screen. Other features include the frame of the window having embedded speakers, and a touchscreen option for use with a PC.

The window industry alone in the U.S. is projected to be worth around US$8 billion, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Technology has been used to increase energy efficiency of late, and the introduction of entertainment facilities is seen as the next step.

Many see this as just a gimmick to promote the company and sell a few more windows. Andersen itself points out that these are just prototypes, with prices yet to be confirmed. Andersen also states that the introduction of such features was not done to garner attention, but in response to research over several years.

MATTHEW'S OPINION
I'm not too sure about the validity of this. It is definitely a nice idea, and an easy way to get a big screen TV in every room. When I first read it I thought Andersen meant a proper TV display within the window, but on a second look the windows just act as a projection screen, so other equipment would be needed. The speakers embedded into the frame is an interesting yet obvious idea.

I am assuming the costs will be high, which is a big put-off. I would be scared about the window being broken or scratched. There is also the issue of the sun; will direct sunlight on the window deteriorate the view on the other side? And what effect will the heat have? I am sure Andersen has thought about these issues, but it is still something I would like to see tested.

This is a valid idea, but I don't think it will become a regular order on the books of Andersen Corp., but rather more of a gimmick than a serious consideration when purchasing new windows.

USER COMMENTS 29 comment(s)

You have to be kidding?(10:57am EST Wed Jan 22 2003)This is one of the strangest ideas I have heard yet. Now if they had just marketed “Self-Dimming Windows” that had an embedded sensor on the inside that controlled current to keep the amount of light coming through steady, THAT would have been a good application of the technology (remember the self-dimming windows on BladeRunner?).

But marketing it as a “projection screen” because it can turn opaque is pretty lame. Heck, you could call a sheetrock wall “multimedia” if that's all it takes. And speakers? In a window? Why? If they had figured out a way to make the glass become a speaker diaphram, making the entire sheet of glass an actual speaker…now THAT would be cool. They have done none of this. They have basically created a self-dimming window and decided that it isn't sexy enough to sell as that.

All in all, I have to say that not only is this a marketing gimmick, but a very poor one that cannot possibly succeed. Even if it did, Microsoft is bound to send a flock of lawyers around to investigate whether or not Andersen can use the name “Windows” on a multimedia product )– by M@

Nuts(11:03am EST Wed Jan 22 2003)Having speakers embedded into the window frame or anywhere near is not a very good idea unless you live isolated from your neighbours…

Watching any loud movie or playing games will surly annoy anyone around.

Apparently this research which prompted them to develop these windows isn't very well thought out. – by ArsoNick

What about….(11:14am EST Wed Jan 22 2003)people outside, do they get to watch whatever I am projecting on my window from the outside in a reverse image?

This doesn't sound like innovation, this sounds like crappy marketing. – by BusinessGeek

nice(11:19am EST Wed Jan 22 2003)I was down the pub a couple of years ago and I we were caonsidering the saturation point of technology and how you'd get more into an environment.

I remeber thinking you need something where there's multiples and I thought of windows, everyone's got them (unless you're weird) and they are in all different types of area.

Nice to see my drunken warblings being turned into a reality and it's happened faster than I thought.

ooooooh it's soooo blade runner, now, where did I leave my robo snake

– by spacca

…(11:35am EST Wed Jan 22 2003)Yah know. If they want to market this stuff they should show you how you can close your windows with your remote control. Imagine this…your watching tv…then that dreaded sun down sun beam comes through your window..hitting your tv…causing you view to be diminished…wala…you hit your remote and turn off your windows…now I think thats a better Idea than using them as a projection screen – by Marc

I don't like it….(12:13pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)…now I need electricity to see through my windows? What's wrong with a regular projector screen? They don't take up much space when rolled up. This is a bad idea and a total waste of precious electricity. My electric bills are going to go up enough when I buy my next Opteron or Pentium successor. – by Steven

I like wire.(12:33pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)I've pulled wire most of my 20 years in the business. I never understood why more home owners did not install whole house stereo when car speakers are so cheap. And where did all the home PBX PC cards go? These window's will be popular in high rent urban area's where your window faces a brick wall. How long will it take M$ to sue Anderson for the use of the term windows? – by tech

What about reflections?(12:44pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)I've seen these windows installed. The effect is pretty cool. However, it's still a window with all the reflective properties of a window. The person who thought of using it as a projection screen must never actually have seen the product, because it simply doesn't make sense. – by Self Evident

Doesn't add up. Glass works just fine for exterior windows. Why would anyone in the 'burbs (like me) risk outside windows? I have 12,000 square feet of wallspace, only 800 or so of it is taken up by windows.– by Gimme a Breakİ

We got all the windows replaced 2 years ago with Andersen windows. I could just see having to upgrade them. The windows cost me about $15,000 to have installed. At least on days like today (zero deg. F at dawn), there's no ice on the inside of the windows anymore!– by Gimme a Breakİ

Opaque(1:25pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)I like the simple clear/opaque effect – it can be set up with a light sensor or remote. Instant privacy. – by youcantseeme

What about the privacy?(2:03pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)Does this mean that everyone walking by your house gets to see your TV / movies in reverse?

I hope not…

I can imagine someone walking past the house, and seeing someone supposedly “through the window” get shot/stabbed/slapped etc and next minute I have the police on the doorstep looking for a body!

I think I'll pass… – by Stoogie

youcantseeme, Instant privacy?….(2:06pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)I've got instant privacy for you….a set of cheap venetian blinds!!!!! They're cheap and don't require electicity. I'm still offended that I need to run current through my windows if I were to buy this. – by Steven

Windowpane Speakers Been Done(4:18pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003) I seem to recall back in the early 70s that someone made a transducer that would attach to a window pane and make it a form of speaker. I believe it was Barcus Berry, the acoustic instrument pickup people. I never heard one in person, but I heard some cracked picture window stories. Then there was the cherry pit loudspeaker that claimed it's sound was clear as light. – by RCAman

Opposite way(5:28pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)It should require the electricity to turn it into a projector, not the other way around. You are probably going to want to use it as a reqular window more then anything.

I like the idea of smart windows. The dimming windows. If you could have a sensor to maintain a certain lighting in a room or even better, a certain temperature. It gets hottter then hell in my apt during the day. If they could dim as the place starts heating up, now that would be cool. – by Gimme

Could Be Dangerious?(6:07pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)Now people can sit in front of thier window in my underwear and have an excuse. – by Key

re: Key(6:33pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)Uh… people are going to sit in front of their window in YOUR underwear?

Unless your name is Calvin Klein, I don't even want to know!

I don't think MS can sue Anderson for the term WINDOW – I mean, Anderson has been around MUCH longer than Microsoft, that could backfire on ol' MSFT.

Just my $0.02 worth,

– by myrkat

I was tricked!(7:43pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)When I saw the title, I thought it was referring to the new Media Center Edition of MS Windows…

I was all ready to do some serious MS bashing and “Windows sucks” trash talking…

but I see the article is only about some kinda fancy TV set..

oh well.

darn – by The Scavenger

SHEESH – Try looking at if a different way(8:00pm EST Wed Jan 22 2003)Does NO ONE “Recall” the 1990 film where we first saw this technology?

Think different paradigms people… Wall sized windows as monitors, with you favorite wallpaper, interchangeable on demand..

Picture in picture??? Try mutliples of that ala Back to the Future II (a movie that sucked IMHO – but the point is valid)

Toffler was right… The more technologically advanced a culture becomes the more energy it will need. Price aside… I can't wait to see the developments and innovations of subsequent versions. OLED, OLEP.. Whatever… Gimme WALL SIZED SCREENS!

Jamie WalkerPublisher – DebateUSA – by Jamie Walker

not safe(3:34am EST Thu Jan 23 2003)how much does the window cost? just one earthquake and BAM all your money down the drain, and its kinda funny if people look around and see you watching like porn or sumthing.. hmm that would be interesting, i think they should count evry factor in before further development and it does seem to be an idea tho – by NO END TO TECHNOLOGY

Interesting(5:57am EST Thu Jan 23 2003)Someday soon we may all live in glass houses. Sand is a pretty plentiful and cheap building material, not sure on the R-Value of it though. Maybe they can make the “Roof” of these houses out of solar panels, again, mainly sand as building material, to offset the energy usage required by the est of the house. – by KiLBurn

Typo(6:03am EST Thu Jan 23 2003)Last sentence should have read rest of house, not est of house. I thought I would point that out before any “grammar and spelling experts” pointed that out for me. One last Note: We could redo the exteriors of our houses with a simple software downlaod. Have a nice brick pattern one day, maybe stucco or wood siding the next. Think of the possibilities not the limits of the technology, that's how people make money. – by KiLBurn

Scary thought.(6:07am EST Thu Jan 23 2003)My house would not be running a Windows (hehe) operating system. I can only imagine me and my girlfriend doing the naughty and my system crashing… – by KiLBurn

vv(3:23pm EST Sat Apr 08 2006)– by vv

wiring(8:02pm EST Mon May 15 2006)how can i make a wire that goes from my pc to my tv so i can use my tv as a computer monitor? – by SYLENTE

pc on tv(8:07pm EST Mon May 15 2006)IF I CUT OFF THE WIRE FROM MY MONITOR THAT GOES TO MY PC, IS THERE A WAY TO WIRE IT TO A VIDEO CABLE SO I CAN USE MY PC ON MY TELEVISION. – by SYLENTE